Record-Breaking Thread

So considering either an older circa 2005 or so SL500 or I came across a 2003 SLK 32 AMG. I’m trying to weight the pros and cons here. The SLK is much more rare, has a few more horses and I can order parts cheaper for it because it’s the same vehicle, at least mechanically as an SRT 6 Crossfire. Granted the roof may be an issue, but right now it works great. The SL 500 I’ve got my eye on is an 05, seems like its in good shape, but I do worry about it’s fancy fancy hydraulic suspension system. Does anyone have experience with either of these vehicles? Or have a good Benz forum I can check out? Most forums I’ve found are people complaining about issues that by and large seem to be self inflicted due to the lack of regular maintenance. I know the smart money says to get an SC430 but I really want to own a German car and I never have. (Unless you count the Challenger since that had the Benz 5 speed auto and that hodge lodge of suspension parts).

If you are about 6 feet tall and have short legs, the SLK will be out of the running. It is snug in there (about the same as a MX-5). I have been keeping an eye on BaT's auctions for a late 90's SL. The 2005 SL500 has a 2 battery set-up and I read that if you have dead batteries, it has to be charged and not boosted. I personally like the generation before because it's mechanically simpler (relatively speaking).

Having owned a 86 Audi 5000 Turbo (hydraulic steering and brake boosters) and knowing folks that owned Citroens, the main cause of hydraulic system failures is the use of brake fluid instead of hydraulic fluid. Check the pressure accumulator (most hydraulic systems use one) as that is expensive.

I can tell you what I've seen. My C32 has the same supercharged engine and transmission as the SLK 32 and it has been flawless. Completely reliable. And makes good power. And those are AMG power ratings, so it is EXTREMELY conservative. The big thing to check on those is the radiator. Make sure it's got a Behr in it. The original has seals that can deteriorate and contaminate the transmission fluid. I replaced the original radiator on mine as soon as I got it. Also flushed and replaced the transmission and radiator fluids. It's been problem free. I haven't heard good things about the hydraulic suspension in older Mercedes. Personally I'd stay away. Hope that helps.

Gave the Lexus a thorough scrub last night, getting all the bug carcasses and crud off of it so I can give it a much-needed wax on Saturday. The weather has been so crappy here until this past week, that it never got done yet this spring. Usually, the first coat is on by the beginning of May.

Weed Man came over yesterday to kill the weeds in the backyard. The previous owner gave up or never took care of the lawn. I saved the front lawn last year myself but the back is too much for me to handle.

Don't know if I can wash the cars on the driveway where I live. Will see if any neighbours stare at me.

There is an oil stain on the trunk of the Audi that needs to be taken care of. Will a clay bar work?

Well, the day is almost here. Later this afternoon, my father will arrive so that we can head to Pocono for our date with a Ferrari 458 Italia tomorrow morning. I’ve been looking forward to this for months now. The weather looks like it will behave too. One heck of a birthday present (even if it comes a day late), and I’ll get to scratch off something else from the ol’ bucket list.

Saturday - We got the mini-kid yet again (not quite standard procedure for the weekend). Other than that, not a lot going on. Changed the oil in the mower per Honda's break-in recommendation and got the lawn taken care of.

Dad surprised me! Not only did I get to drive a Ferrari, I got the opportunity to drive a Lamborghini too!!

I drove the Lambo first. A Huracán. As for the Ferrari, I was slated to drive a 458 Italia, of which there was but one on this day. No worries, I thought, I'll just wait my turn. They also had two 488 GTB's. They were a higher price, so I was happy to wait for the 458. When I was next up in the 458 line, one of the 488's came back in. There was no one waiting in the 488 line, so they came to me and asked if I wanted an upgrade. Hmm... Let me thi... YES!!

I can't really say which I liked better. If anything, I found taking off from a stop (which really only happens once) was smoother in the Huracán than the 488. It seemed like I pressed the go pedal a full inch before the Ferrari did anything at all. Made me nervous I would spin the tires or otherwise cause a ruckus. The Lambo had instant response. Once moving, however, they were both phenomenal. And, the noises!! Having it all happening right behind your ears is an experience every car enthusiast should experience.

The toughest part is that you only get three laps in each car. The first lap, you're mostly getting your bearings in the car. You're a little more confident the second lap. Your confidence really grows during the third lap. And, by the end of third, you're ready to really give it that 7 to 8 tenths you are most likely capable of. Sadly, you have to head back into the pits. Oh well. Next time.

I would certainly recommend for anyone who might try this out for themselves somewhere, that if they offer a "lead car" experience, do it. It costs more, but gives you valuable information before you are the one driving. Basically, a trained professional, driving (in this case) a Chevy SS, drives up to three people around. He points out the marks for lifting, braking, turn in and apexes; which are all marked by different colored cones. He also ramps up each lap until, by the third, he's running at least 9/10 if not the full 10. Very exciting stuff. Not for those who are weak of stomach, however.

Here are a couple of pics from the event. As soon as I can figure out how to edit the videos down, I'll post links to them. I want folks to see the laps, but there is a lot of small talk at the beginning of each video that really is quite boring, so I'm trying to cut it out. Anyway, here you go...

In a few more words ... when we lapped at Mid-Ohio back when, it was the kind of "follow me" lapping that you suggested before letting totally loose (which didn't happen that day, but WOULD have happened the next day, if I had had the bucks for the two-day course [I didn't! {grumble!!!}]).

In a few more words ... when we lapped at Mid-Ohio back when, it was the kind of "follow me" lapping that you suggested before letting totally loose (which didn't happen that day, but WOULD have happened the next day, if I had had the bucks for the two-day course [I didn't! {grumble!!!}]).

Went to Treasure Shores Park beach today. It's a beautiful, unspoiled, beach and park with gorgeous nature trails leading to a natural beach. It's near Sebastian in Indian River County. Water was quite cool for June, but refreshing. Had a lot of fun on the boards. The drive there from where we live in south central Florida goes through a remote, scenic, beautiful expanse that is a sight to behold. And very light traffic makes for an easy drive. Took the C63. Am liking that car more and more.

We deeply love "old" Florida and are so thankful much of it remains near us.

The preceding links will bring you to my videos of the Lamborghini and Ferrari drives respectively. Despite my best efforts to edit the starting point of both so as to spare you all the small talk and other drivel, I could not get it to work. So, if you fast forward to the 2:21 mark of the Lamborghini video, and the 6:10 mark of the Ferrari video, you will miss all that. If, however, you want to see me 'impress' both drivers by telling them my only other track experience is the Nürburgring, feel free to watch. Neither driver, despite their experience on multiple tracks, has ever been there.

At about the 3:41 mark in the Lamborghini video, you'll hear me exclaim that it was "harder than I wanted". Just before that, you'll hear the revs do some weird stuff. They had instructed us that we could go to the floor on the straight, but not to smash either the brake or the throttle. Instead we were to gently apply pressure to either pedal. I did not do that here. So, I was voicing that I hit the gas harder than I wanted, not that the acceleration was harder than I wanted.

In the Ferrari video, the first point of interest is at 9:58, where the instructor says: "perfect!". He then follows that up at 10:10 with "good job!" accompanied by clapping his hands. I was very proud of myself. Also, for some reason, the audio seems to cut out around 10:18. Not sure why as it is all there right to the end. If it happens, simply pause it, rewind or fast forward a bit, and it usually comes back.

Monday - About the most exciting thing I did yesterday was to watch The Sum of All Fears from my Blu-Ray that evening ... not a bad movie, really. As for today, I'm not certain whether to head back to the community center pool or get the bike sorted out and go for a ride. We'll see...